Adventures in Prague
Hello from the Czech Republic! I arrived in Prague early saturday morning after hailing a cab at 4 am in Nia Smirni (our neighborhood in Athens), and catching a flight that left at 5:50 am.
Prague is indeed a beautiful city. Once glance at the skyline and you feel as if you are living in the 15th century. The pointed peaks of the gothic towers penetrate the colorful skyline of baroque-style buildings such that it is alomost impossible to look away from them. From a lower vantage point you notice the intricate archetecture involved in each of the buildings, each painted a different color.
The center of the city (Praha 1, as the district is called is divided into two halves by a large river lined with patches of thick forest. Three bridges connect the two sides, and the Charles Bridge (the most famous) is a pedestrian bridge that leads from east side to the area surrounding the elevated terrain on which Prague Castle and the Saint Vitus Cathedral are situated.
The castle forms a square around the cathedral, and upon passing through the castle gates, I had to strain my neck back as far as I could to see the top of the cathedral. The inside was the usual as far as European cathedrals go: LOTS of gold, beautiful stained glass windows, and overwhelmingly high ceilings that make you feel extreamly small.
Yes, Prague is very lovely on the surface, but if you dig a little deeper... Prostitutes line the streets at night. Signs that warn of pick-pockets are on the walls of the internet cafes. I actually met a man from Ohio who claimed that a few days ago he was dragged from his cab BY THE DRIVER, and held by his neck while he was robbed. I also found out (and don't panic Mom; I leave Prague tomorrow) that 5 days before I arrived, a man threw a grenade into an American-owned jeep (identifiale by the New Jersey plates) in front of the American-owned casino hotel a block from my hotel injuring 17 people including 3 Americans. Police vans have been parked in front of the area since I arrived. I'm sure it was an isolated incident, and I feel safe at the hotel. But if anyone asks, I'm from Elora, Ontario. (Quite a story, EH?)
I have a book to recommend that has kept me company in my hotel room in prague. (No, I didn't by it from one of the hundreds of sex shops found near my hotel alone!) It is a bestseller called "The Da Vinci Code" by Dan Brown. A very interesting read. Make sure you have a print of Da Vinci's "Last Supper" nearby when you read it. Fascinating stuff.
Tonight I am seeing "Don Giovanni", an Opera written by Mozart at the opera house that was actually used in the filming of "Amadeus". I went to the National Museum earlier today, so Im feeling very cultured.
Prague is a nice place to visit, but... (you know the rest). My interview here went very well, but the job doesnt sound as appealing as the woman made it sound in her e mails. Tomorrow its back to Athens to job hunt. I miss the friendly Greeks. Prague needs Prozac. ;-)
All the best to all of you.
Prague is indeed a beautiful city. Once glance at the skyline and you feel as if you are living in the 15th century. The pointed peaks of the gothic towers penetrate the colorful skyline of baroque-style buildings such that it is alomost impossible to look away from them. From a lower vantage point you notice the intricate archetecture involved in each of the buildings, each painted a different color.
The center of the city (Praha 1, as the district is called is divided into two halves by a large river lined with patches of thick forest. Three bridges connect the two sides, and the Charles Bridge (the most famous) is a pedestrian bridge that leads from east side to the area surrounding the elevated terrain on which Prague Castle and the Saint Vitus Cathedral are situated.
The castle forms a square around the cathedral, and upon passing through the castle gates, I had to strain my neck back as far as I could to see the top of the cathedral. The inside was the usual as far as European cathedrals go: LOTS of gold, beautiful stained glass windows, and overwhelmingly high ceilings that make you feel extreamly small.
Yes, Prague is very lovely on the surface, but if you dig a little deeper... Prostitutes line the streets at night. Signs that warn of pick-pockets are on the walls of the internet cafes. I actually met a man from Ohio who claimed that a few days ago he was dragged from his cab BY THE DRIVER, and held by his neck while he was robbed. I also found out (and don't panic Mom; I leave Prague tomorrow) that 5 days before I arrived, a man threw a grenade into an American-owned jeep (identifiale by the New Jersey plates) in front of the American-owned casino hotel a block from my hotel injuring 17 people including 3 Americans. Police vans have been parked in front of the area since I arrived. I'm sure it was an isolated incident, and I feel safe at the hotel. But if anyone asks, I'm from Elora, Ontario. (Quite a story, EH?)
I have a book to recommend that has kept me company in my hotel room in prague. (No, I didn't by it from one of the hundreds of sex shops found near my hotel alone!) It is a bestseller called "The Da Vinci Code" by Dan Brown. A very interesting read. Make sure you have a print of Da Vinci's "Last Supper" nearby when you read it. Fascinating stuff.
Tonight I am seeing "Don Giovanni", an Opera written by Mozart at the opera house that was actually used in the filming of "Amadeus". I went to the National Museum earlier today, so Im feeling very cultured.
Prague is a nice place to visit, but... (you know the rest). My interview here went very well, but the job doesnt sound as appealing as the woman made it sound in her e mails. Tomorrow its back to Athens to job hunt. I miss the friendly Greeks. Prague needs Prozac. ;-)
All the best to all of you.